Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah refuted claims by the Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka and Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy regarding alleged phone tapping to monitor Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Siddaramaiah dismissed the accusations as politically motivated and baseless, likening them to a belief that “a thief thinks everyone else is a thief.”
The Chief Minister highlighted that since the Congress regained power in the state, opposition leaders have been trying to sow discord between him and Shivakumar. Despite these attempts, Siddaramaiah emphasized that their relationship remains strong and committed to the party’s leadership.
Siddaramaiah criticized the BJP and JD(S) for spreading false narratives to harm his rapport with Shivakumar. He defended Shivakumar’s loyalty to the Congress party despite facing legal challenges in the past. The Chief Minister also pointed out instances of political instability in Karnataka due to internal mistrust and conspiracies within opposition parties.
Referring to past phone tapping allegations during previous administrations, Siddaramaiah accused the Centre of misusing central agencies against political rivals. He urged the opposition leaders to engage in constructive politics rather than malicious tactics. Siddaramaiah expressed confidence in his government’s ability to complete its full term despite attempts to destabilize it, reaffirming that the people of Karnataka had given the Congress a clear mandate to govern.
